4th Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance Features Notable Corvettes
The 4thPhiladelphia Concours d’Elegance was held July 17, 2021, at the Simeone Foundation Museum in South Philadelphia. Bob Cook brings us coverage of this event, hosted by the nonprofit Cool Cars for Kids, Inc., which is the only Concours in Philadelphia. It is becoming a mainstay of the Philadelphia automotive landscape. The 2020 two-day event was canceled, but this year (2021) was scheduled as a one-day event at the Simeone Foundation Museum with its own spectacular collection of sports and race cars. This year’s featured Marque was Corvette – “America’s Sports Car.” The Concours always features some of the best antique, classic, and limited production sports and racing cars from collectors all over the United States. In addition to the Concours, car corrals – both a Corvette Corral and a Collector Car Corral – were filled with cars from local car clubs. There was also a Cool Cars for Kids tour that wound its way around Chester County, arriving at the Concours by 11 am.
The mission of the hosting organization, Cool Cars for Kids, is to raise awareness and improve the lives of children born with rare genetic diagnoses and raise funds to support clinical care and research for these kids and their families.
The Concours was by invitation only. Twenty-six cars were invited and accepted. The cars were inside the Simeone Museum, displayed among the Museum’s fabulous collection of sports and racing cars. Outside were the “Corvette Corral” and the “Collector Car Corral.” In the afternoon there was a panel discussion featuring well-known people from Corvette history – including George Wintersteen (successful race driver in 60’s and 70’s and former owner of the Grand Sport now owned by the Simeone Museum), Lowell Paddock (held executive positions working for GM as well as owning his own publishing company and being editor-in-chief of Automobile Quarterly), Ed Welburn (sixth Head of Design for GM, current Chief Design Advisor for Bolt Micro Mobility, and CEO of Welburn Media Productions with a feature film under development), Tony DeLorenzo (who with Jerry Thompson drove the Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corvettes in the late 60’s and early 70’s, the most successful duo in FIA and SCCA A-production racing, winning 22 straight races from 1969 to 1971 – Tony owned and raced the first 1967 L88 sold to the public), and with Harry Hunt as moderator (photographer and writer of automotive racing, worked in advertising/public relations specializing in automotive aftermarket clients, helped launch the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum). Tony DeLorenzo and George Wintersteen represented the racing history of the Corvette. At the same time, Ed Welburn and Lowell Paddock spoke on the car’s design and General Motors’ marketing strategies that led to the Corvette’s overwhelming popularity in the U.S. and worldwide.
In addition to the fun of seeing so many outstanding cars, a band and the Eagles Cheerleaders made an appearance. And there were games for the kids – a great family experience.
And let’s not forget that this was a Concours d’Elegance – and there were spectacular Corvettes in the Concours that have seldom been seen, as well as more in the Corvette Corral.
Since publishing, this article 86 year old Dr. Frederick Anthony Simeone, died peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Pennsylvania Hospital, a second home to him.
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PRESS RELEASE
CELEBRATING CORVETTE, “AMERICA’S SPORTS CAR,” COOL CARS FOR KIDS, INC. PRESENTS THE FOURTH ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE July 17, 2021
The nonprofit Cool Cars for Kids, Inc. (CCfK) will stage a classic car “competition of elegance” at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, which in 2019 was voted the “No. 1 Car Collection in the World” by The Classic Car Trust.
The event benefits the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in providing help and hope to children with rare genetic diagnoses and their families, and supporting research that will identify the best possible treatments.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating America’s most iconic sports car with such a rich racing history at this year’s Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance,” said Michael Tillson III, president and director of Cool Cars for Kids, and one of the country’s most highly regarded authorities on classic and sports automobiles. “Attendees of the Concours will not only have a chance to get an up-close look of many historic and legendary examples of the Corvette’s heritage, but also see other classic cars from the Simeone Collection.”
The 2021 Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance will showcase an invitation-only assembly of Corvettes and other American and European classic and historic automobiles and race cars. The day-long fundraising event includes professional judging and awards presented for historical accuracy, technical merit, and style. The popular Hagerty Youth Judging program will also be implemented. This year’s classes are Pre-War, Post-War, Open, Closed, Sports, Muscle, and Kids Choice.
The day will also include family-friendly activities; celebrity guests, among whom will be Super Bowl-winning Coach Dick Vermeil; a Car Corral open for local car enthusiasts to exhibit their classic cars; food and specialty vendors; and access to the Simeone Museum.
Special events will include a panel discussion among past Corvette racers, along with select current owners of iconic Corvettes and others whose connection with Corvettes goes deep. A Rally Across America tour in the morning to the Simeone Museum is also planned.
Corvette racing stars on the panel include Tony DeLorenzo, who raced the Owens-Corning L88 Corvettes in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and George Wintersteen, who successfully campaigned the #002 Corvette Grand Sport Roadster in 1966. This car resides in the Simeone Museum. Historian Harry Hurst will M.C. the discussion, and additional panelists will be announced soon.
Premier Concours Entries:
Classic car collectors from throughout North America are invited to submit their entries for the 2021 Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/
AT A GLANCE:
WHAT: Fourth Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance
WHEN: Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHO: Families, classic car enthusiasts, collectors, racers, one and all
WHERE: Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825 Norwitch Dr.
Philadelphia, PA
For more information, visit www.coolcarsforkids.org, or call 267-982-CCfK (2235)
